Introduction: Gameboy W/ Cartridge Frames

Carve out a wooden Gameboy with interchangeable game cartridges to show off your photos and art in a fun and unique way :)

Supplies

Easel by Inventables: https://easel.inventables.com/

Plywood:

  • (2) 1/4 inch thick 11 inch x 11 inch (Gameboy Front & Back, Game Cartridges)
  • (1) 1/2 inch thick 11 inch x 11 inch (Gameboy middle spacer piece)

Hinges

  • 3/4 inch by 11/16 inch

Paper (if you want to add a custom game label)

Photo/Art (what you want to display)

Wood Glue (stick everything together)

Paint + Clear Coat (decorate and protect your final product!)

Step 1: Upload Files to Easel by Inventables

Start a new project on Easel by Inventables.

Change your material settings by clicking on "Birch Plywood, 11 x 8 x 0.5 in"

  • Set Width (X) and Length (Y) to 11 in
  • Set Thickness (Z) to 0.25 in
  • Set Material Type to Birch Plywood (or Cherry Plywood if you are using that instead)

Change your bit by clicking on "Bit 1/8 in"

  • Set your bit to one that you have (design was made for use of a 1/8 in bit)

Click on "Project", then "Import SVG" and select the GameboyFront_Back.svg file

  • Select everything and resize using the "Width" and "Height" size options under "Shape"
  • Width = 10.668 in
  • Height = 7.880 in

Add a new Workpiece for the Game Cartridge layer by clicking on the blue "+" located in the bottom area of the screen


Change your material settings by clicking on "Birch Plywood, 11 x 8 x 0.5 in"

  • Set Width (X) and Length (Y) to 11 in
  • Set Thickness (Z) to 0.25 in
  • Set Material Type to Birch Plywood (or Cherry Plywood if you are using that instead)

Change your bit by clicking on "Bit 1/8 in"

  • Set your bit to one that you have (design was made for use of a 1/8 in bit)

Click on "Project", then "Import SVG" and select the GameboyCartidges.svg file

  • Select everything and resize using the "Width" and "Height" size options under "Shape"
  • Width = 9.159 in
  • Height = 9.483 in

Change your material settings by clicking on "Birch Plywood, 11 x 8 x 0.5 in"

  • Set Width (X) and Length (Y) to 11 in
  • Set Thickness (Z) to 0.5 in
  • Set Material Type to Birch Plywood (or Cherry Plywood if you are using that instead)

Change your bit by clicking on "Bit 1/8 in"

  • Set your bit to one that you have (design was made for use of a 1/8 in bit)

Click on "Project", then "Import SVG" and select the GameboyMiddle.svg file

  • Select everything and resize using the "Width" and "Height" size options under "Shape"
  • Width = 5.188 in
  • Height = 7.823 in

Step 2: Hook Up Your CNC and Carve

Connect your CNC to a computer running Easel by Inventables and load your project.

Start with Workpiece 1 (Gameboy Front and Back). Make sure you place the 1/4 inch thick plywood into your CNC and that all of your settings are correct. When ready, click "Carve" on your Easel project space. You will be guided through prepping your CNC to carve.


When your 1st workpiece is done, load your second 1/4 inch thick piece of plywood. Click on Workpiece 2 (Game Cartridges), make sure your settings are correct, then carve!


Finally, load your 1/2 inch thick plywood. Click on Workpiece 3 (Gameboy Middle), make sure your settings are correct, and carve.


Step 3: Decorate

If you would like to decorate your pieces to give them a personal touch, now's the time!

Paint your pieces whatever colors you want!

Step 4: Glue Your Pieces Together

Use wood glue and a clamp/vise to hold together the Gameboy Front, Middle, and Back.

  • The small rectangular piece with grooves should be attached to the Gameboy - Back once the wood glue has dried.
  • Use the 3/4 inch by 11/16 inch hinges. You may have to grind the end of the hinge screws if they push through any of the wood pieces

Use wood glue and a clamp/vise to hold together the front (has a hole for pictures) and back (has an outlined square for a game label) of the Game cartridges.

Use Elmer's glue, craft glue, or double-sided tape to add your photo/art to the game cartridge frames.


Below is a photoshop file that you can edit to create your own labels and game stickers. A .png version is also available in the pictures above in case you don't have photoshop

Step 5: Done!!

After the glue is dried, you'll have yourself a Gameboy w/ game cartridge frames! You can switch out your games to show off different photos!

Plywood Contest

Participated in the
Plywood Contest